Method of forming sleeve actuators



July 9, 1929. A. M. NIVEN METHOD OF FORMING SLEEVE ACTUATORS Original Filed March '7, 1927 `umn IN I" Q r,

M M N 9W N Patented July 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARCHIE MACPHAIL NIVEN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T CONTINENTAL MOTORS CORPORATION, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

METHOD OF FORMING SLEEVE ACTUATORS.

Original application led March 7, 1927, Serial No. 173,318.

Divided and this application filed November 19, 1927. Serial No. 234,434.

This invention relates to engines and refers more particularly to the type of internal combustion engine known as the single sleeve valve type. In general the ports of 6 thisI type of engine are controlled by aI sleeve valve preferably located between the piston and inside wall of the cylinder, a point on the sleeve moving in a combined reciprocating and oscillating closed path with respect 10 to the cylinder. In ,order to provide such a sleeve movement many types of driving mechanism might be used, my invention having to do with that portion of the sleeve actuator providing a spherical or universal bearing.

Heretofore in order to insert the ball within the socket it has been deemed necessary to either divide the outer member ,or to cut away the bearing surface of one of the members, the inner member being inserted approximately at right angles in the outer and then rotated into position. Such methods are objectionable since any division of the socket is an added step and also prevents a smooth bearing surface as well as a weakened structure. Cutting away the bearing surface of one of the members obviously reduces the available area of Contact.

My invention not only overcomes the difficulties incident to placing the ball operating within the socket but furthermore provides a full area of bearing between the ball and socket without interrupted or cut away portions. With my device I have found that no oil grooves or other interruptions need be made throughout the area of contact; furthermore my invention obviates any diiiicult operation of machining the hollow spherical portion of the socket.

A further feature of my invention resides in a novel method and apparatus for forming my improved sleeve actuator. lVith the foregoing and other objects in view my invention has among its objects the novel arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described in detail.

This application is a division of my copending application Ser. No. 173,318 filed March 7, 1927, and is particularly directed to the novel method of forming the sleeve actuator.

Referring to the accompanying drawingsin which like reference characters indicate .is then depressed, forcing corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 represents a sectional elevation view of an engine showing my invention applied thereto in a typical manner,

Fig. 2 is a view diagrammatically illustrating the initial step in the casting operation,

Fig. 3 is a like view showing the completion of the casting operation, and

Fig. 4 is aA section of a slightly modified bushing.

In the drawings which will serve to illustrate a typical embodiment of my invention reference character A represents an engine piston, B the cylinder, C the connecting rod, and D the single sleeve valve adapted to receive a combined movement in the direction of its axis, and circumferentially,

i. e., a combined reciprocating and oscillat? ing movement for controlling the engine ports; such parts being of the usual lor other suitable preferred construction.

The sleeve driving mechanism which I have illustrated in connection with my invention consists in a lay shaft 10 from which the cylinder sleeves may be driven, in proper timing relation to the crankshaft, by means of a worm 11, and wormwheel 12, the latter being connected through a shaft 13 to drive a cra-nk 14.

E represents the ball and socket connection between sleeve D and pin 14, and may be formed by the use of a casting form F shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In these views 15 is a cylindrical bushing preferably of steel which, according to my invention, is first tinned on the inner surface 16 by the general well known method of tinning a steel surface for taking a babbitt lining or a lining of equivalent material. By slightly tapering the surface 16 downwardly and inwardly in the position shown the flow of the babbitt is aided somewhat although this is not necessary, since the. bushin may be formed non-tapering as at 15a 1n Fig. 4. With the bushing 15 located between the die sections 17, 18, the ball 19, preferably of steel, is properly located by positioning and clamping elements 20, 21 and the plunger head 22 placed as shown. The plunger 23 the babbitt at a suitable temperature, through passage 24, to entirely fill the space 25 between the ball 19 and bushing 15 as shown in Fig. 3. It has been found that the amount of pressure applied to the babbitt will to some degree determine the fit of the ball in the socket. The babbitt will adhere to the tinned surface 16 but will not adhere tothe surface of the ball 19, permitting the desired free universal movement between these surfaces. The bushing and ball ma now-be removed as a unit and any babbit n may be machined off. This unit cannot now become accidentally separated and may be conveniently placed and xed in the sleeve recess 26 with the ball bore slidable on pin 14 or the actuator bearing may be located at any other point` in the drive to provide the desired movement.

By my invention diiicult machining of the parts is avoided, the surface 16 being preferably a plane surface and the spherical external surface of ball 19 being readily spherieally,

machined to the proper degree of finish, all before applying the babbitt. rIhus by my invention the bushing need not be machined which being an internal surface, would be a difiicult operation. Furthermore the babbitt will exactly follow the contour of the spherical head, thus conveniently forming the internal spherical surface.

I desire it understood that my invention is by no means limited in its usefulness and scope to the particular driving mechanism or sleeve valve arrangement as shown. Various drives might well be suitable for ineorporating my invention, especially where, at

some point or points in the drive, a ball and socket construction is desired.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. The method of forming a ball and socket structure of the character indicated. consisting in introducing babbitt between a spherical ball and a cylindrical bushing having an linner plane surface tinned to cause the babbitt to adhere thereto.

2. The method of forming a ball and socket structure consisting in introducing babbitt between a bushing having a tinned wall and a ball whereby the babbitt is cast around the ball.

3. The method of forming a ball and socket structure of the character indicated, the socket including an external bushing, consisting in treatmg the inner surface of the bushing with a babbitt uniting substance, securing the bushin and ball in concentric spaced relation, an introducing babbitt into the space.

4. rllhe method of forming a ball and socket structure of the character indicated, the socket including an external bushing, consisting in treating the inner surface'of the bushing with a babbitt uniting substance,

.machining the ball surface, clamping the bushing and ball in concentric spaced relation, and introducin babbitt into the space.

5. The method of forming a ball and socket structure consisting in introducing babbitt under pressure between a bushing havin a tinned wall and a ball whereby the ba )bitt is cast around the ball.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 15th day of November, A. I).

ARCHIE MACPHAIL NIVEN. 

